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Sec. 901. - Department of community development.#
There shall be a department of community development which shall bring together, conduct and/or coordinate all functions of town government relating to planning, zoning, platting, industrial and economic development, recreation, Building Code enforcement, electrical and plumbing inspection, Minimum Housing Code enforcement, redevelopment, and all other functions relating to land use, housing, air pollution, and the protection or development of the natural environment within the town which may from time to time be entrusted to the department by the town council.
(Amend. of 11-2-10)
Sec. 902. - Director of community development.#
The department of community development shall be headed by a director of community development who shall be appointed by the town administrator from among persons with professional training in planning or urban design and a minimum of two years experience in those fields, to serve during his pleasure. The duties of said director shall include but not be limited to the following: (a)
To supervise and/or coordinate all activities and functions assigned to the department or conducted by boards, officials or agencies placed within the department by this Charter or by ordinance;
(b)
To act as chief professional staff assistant to the planning board, the housing authority, the redevelopment agency, the conservation commission and to all similar bodies that now or in the future are assigned to or function within the department;
(c)
To act as clerk to the zoning board of review;
(d)
To serve as a member of any capital project committee appointed pursuant to section 911 below;
(e)
Under the direction of the town administrator, to make application for and supervise the use of federal grants pertaining to the functions of the department of community development;
(f)
To maintain liaison with all boards and agencies of the town not attached to his own department, but whose functions relate to the responsibilities of the department of community development;
(g)
To assist the town administrator in the preparation of the capital budget of the town.
Sec. 903. - Planning board.#
There shall be a planning board which shall function within the department of community development, consisting of five (5) qualified electors of the town, appointed by the town council to serve for three-year staggered terms. Of the first members appointed under this Charter, two (2) shall be designated to serve one-year terms, two (2) shall be designated to serve two-year terms, and the remaining one shall be designated to serve for a three-year term. The council may appoint up to two (2) auxiliary members of the planning board to serve for three-year terms, said terms arranged to fit the staggered term system as provided herein. Said auxiliary member or members shall sit as active members when and if a temporary vacancy or vacancies so require, upon request of the chairman of the board. Persons appointed to the planning board shall hold no other office in the service of the town. (a)
The director of community development in his capacity as executive secretary to the board, shall be free to attend meetings, but he shall not have an official vote nor shall he be counted for purposes of a quorum. The board may adopt its own rules and order of business, but must have at least one regular monthly meeting.
(b)
The board shall exercise those powers and perform those duties prescribed for such a board now or in the future by the Constitution and laws of the state not inconsistent with this Charter, and such additional powers and duties as may be assigned to it by this Charter or the town council. The board shall consult with the town administrator through the director of community development and the director shall also be responsible for coordinating the work of the board with the other functions carried on by the department of community development.
Sec. 904. - Housing authority.#
There shall be a housing authority, which shall function within the department of community development and shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of such authority under the laws of the United States, the laws of the state, and relevant ordinances of the town. The members of said authority shall be selected in accor dance with applicable provisions of state law. Persons appointed to the housing authority shall hold no other office in the service of the town.
Sec. 905. - Redevelopment agency.#
There shall be a redevelopment agency, which shall function within the department of community development and shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of such agency under the laws of the United States, the laws of the state, and relevant ordinances of the town. The members of said agency shall be selected in accordance with applicable provisions of state law. Persons appointed to the redevelopment agency shall hold no other office in the service of the town.
Sec. 906. - Conservation commission.#
There shall be a conservation commission, which shall function within the department of community development and shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of such commission under the laws of the state and relevant ordinances of the town. The Commission shall consist of the maximum number of members allowed by state law. Members shall be appointed by the Town Council to serve three-year staggered terms. As of December 31, 1998, the Council shall appoint one additional member to a two-year term and one to a three-year term. In the event the State amends the law to provide for any additional members, they shall be appointed by the Town Council after the next regular election to serve for three-year staggered terms by adding the members in a distributed manner to preserve the pattern already established. Duly incorporated and existing wildlife, conservation, sportsmen's, horticultural, or like organizations may present to the council a list of qualified citizens from which lists the council must select at least three (3) members of the commission and from which lists the council may select the remainder. Persons appointed to the conservation commission shall hold no other office in the service of the town.
(Amend. of 11-3-98)
Sec. 907. - Recreation board.#
There shall be a recreation board, which shall function within the department of community development, and shall perform the duties and exercise the powers conferred upon it by the town council. The board shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the council to serve for three-year staggered terms. Of the first members appointed under this Charter, two (2) shall be designated to serve one-year terms, two (2) shall be designated to serve two-year terms, and the remaining one shall serve a three-year term.
Sec. 908. - Harbor commission.#
There shall be a harbor commission, which shall perform the duties and exercise the powers conferred upon it by state law or the ordinances of the town. The board shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the council to serve for three-year staggered terms. Of the first members appointed under this Charter, two (2) shall be designated to serve one-year terms, two (2) shall be designated to serve two-year terms, and the remaining one shall serve a three-year term. The council may appoint up to two (2) auxiliary members of the harbor commission to serve for three (3) year terms, said terms arranged to fit the staggered term system as provided herein. Said auxiliary member or members shall sit as active members when and if a temporary vacancy or vacancies so require, upon request of the chairman of the commission.
(Amend. of 11-2-04; Amend. of 11-2-10)
Sec. 909. - Zoning board of review.#
There shall be a zoning board of review, which shall function within the department of community development, and shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of such board under the laws of the state and relevant ordinances of the town. The members of said board shall be selected in accordance with the applicable provisions of state law, provided, however, that the town council may provide, in accordance with laws now or hereafter in effect, for the appointment of auxiliary members. Persons appointed to the zoning board of review shall hold no other office in the service of the town. (a)
At least every five (5) years the director of community development shall review the Zoning Ordinance and map to determine whether any changes are necessary, and report his findings to the town administrator for transmission, with the recommendations of the town administrator, to the town council.
Sec. 910. - Inspectorial functions.#
There shall be inspectors appointed by the town administrator to perform the following functions: Building inspection, plumbing inspection, electrical inspection, minimum housing inspection, and drainage inspection. The town administrator shall appoint such deputies or assistant inspectors as may be provided for by the council. All such inspectors will serve during his pleasure. All inspectorial functions and the personnel designated to carry them out, which are provided for in this section, and any additional such functions as may from time to time be required by state law or provided for by ordinance, shall fall within the jurisdiction of and be conducted under the auspices of the department of community development, and under the supervision of the director of community development. All inspectors or their deputies or assistants appointed pursuant to this section shall receive such compensation as the town council may prescribe.
Sec. 911. - Capital project commission.#
There is hereby created a capital project commission which is authorized to exercise fiscal oversight over the construction of any public building or facility for the town, or any purchase of equipment, which is financed by a bond approved by the voters of the town and the total cost of which shall exceed five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00). The capital project commission shall be appointed in the manner provided in subsection (a) hereof. The capital project commission is a permanent, standing commission and shall meet as frequently as appropriate, but no less than four (4) times per year, to review all expenditures made for capital projects. The capital project commission shall provide the town council with a detailed accounting of all expenditures of funds made in connection with a capital project falling within its jurisdiction. Further, the capital project commission shall have any powers and duties delegated to it by state law or town ordinance. (a)
The capital project commission will consist of seven (7) members:
(1)
The town administrator, or his/her designee;
(2)
The town finance director, or his/her designee;
(3)
The director of community development, or his/her designee; and
(4)
Four (4) members of the general public who are qualified electors of the town, who shall be appointed by the town council after solicitation of candidates. The town council shall also appoint one (1) alternate who shall sit and actively participate at a commission proceeding only if a general public member is unable to serve at the proceeding.
(b)
The town administrator, finance director and director of community development shall serve on the capital project commission only for the duration of their terms of office or employment by the town.
(c)
The members of the capital project commission appointed by the town council shall serve for terms of five (5) years or until their successors are appointed and qualified, provided, however, that the original appointments are made for terms of one (1), two (2), three (3) and four (4) years respectively. Further, the town council shall endeavor to appoint members of the general public who shall have training or experience in finance, accounting, construction management, architecture, construction or engineering.
(Amend. of 11-2-10)
Editor's note— Charter amendment of Nov. 2, 2010, amended § 911 title to read as herein set out. Former § 911 title pertained to capital project committees.
Sec. 912. - Director of human services.#
There shall be a Director of Human Services who shall be appointed by the Town Administrator to serve during his or her pleasure. The duties of the Director of Human Services shall be those duties prescribed by Rhode Island state law, and such additional duties, not inconsistent therewith, as may be assigned by the Town Administrator or the Town Council.
(Amend. of 11-3-98)